Railway-switch-operating mechanism or the like.



W. A. AUSTIN. RAILWAY SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED 0O'1'.16, 1909.

Patented Feb. 16, 1915.

THE NORRIS PETERS c0, PHOTCLITHOH WASHINGTON. n, c

WILSON A. AUSTIN, OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO A. T. AUSTIN, OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA.

RAILWAY-SWITCH-OPERATING MECHANISM. OR THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 16, 1915.

Application filed October 16, 1909. Serial No. 523,077.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that 1, WILSON A. AUs'rIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Omaha, in the county of Douglas and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway-Switch- Operating Mechanism or the like, of which the following is a description.

My invention belongs to that class of devices known as railway switches or derails or the like, and relates particularly to the controlling and operating mechanism therefor, and has among its objects the production of a simple, satisfactory and eliicient device of the kind described for use wherever it may be found applicable.

My invention is in the nature of an improvement of the device shown and described in the application of Charles 0. Anderson filed October 6, 1909, Serial No. 523,078, and the inventions mentioned therein by myself and said Anderson. In crowded switch yards or where there are a number of tracks, or for other reasons, it is sometimes inconvenient and often impossible to install a motor or other operating mechanism for the railway switch or derail at the side of the switch or proximate thereto, substantially as shown in the applications mentioned, and the present invention has to do with a construction wherein; the motor or operating mechanism for actuating the movable rail parts may be arranged where convenient, which mechanism is controlled by the fiXed and movable rail parts substantially as heretofore mentioned. In my preferred construction shown the motor and actuating mechanism may be positioned wherever desired, the mechanism controlled by the switch points and stock rails for controlling the actuating mechanism being arranged close to the switch to be operated.

T 0 this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and de scribed and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts, Figure 1 is a plan view of the switch operating and controlling mechanism, the operating mechanism being arranged at some distance from the switch, the controlling mechanism being arranged at the switch, and Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 3, 3 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, 1 and 2, and 3 and 4 represent the fixed rail parts or stock rails, and 5 and 6 the movable rail parts or switch points, it being of course understood that in the case of a derail that one switch point would be sufiicient. As shown, the rails and switch parts are supported on the usual ties 7, the switch points being connected by suitable spreader bars 9 and 10. Similar reference numerals represent the same parts mentioned as shown in the Anderson application mentioned, 14 representing the motor and 13 the casing for the ac tuating mechanism. connected to the movable rail part as shown to the spreader bar 10, the opposite end be ing operatively connected to the motor 14. Any suitable connection may be arranged between the throw rod 12 and the motor 14 whereby when the motor is operated the switch points are thrown from one position to the other, the construction shown being that heretofore described in the prior Anderson application mentioned.

Briefly, the construction may be described as follows: 27 is the motor shaft provided with a pinion 27 thereon, which meshes with a pinion 26 arranged on the rod 24, which rod forms a part of the throw rod 12. The gear 26 is provided with threads arranged to cooperate with suitable threads (not shown) on the rod 24 so that as the gear is rotated the rod 24 and throw rod 12 are longitudinally moved in one direction or the other, thus throwing the switch points to the desired position. Any suitable means may be employed for controlling the motor, a suitable pole changer 53 being shown, arranged within the casing 13 or where desired, the pole changer in the preferred construction being controlled by suitable mechanism which is in itself controlled by the fixed and movable rail parts.

As shown, the casing 13 and mechanism contained therein is connected to the movable switch parts or switch points by means of the throw rod 12 but substantially disconnected from the fixed or stock rail parts 1, 2 and 3, 4, the casing and motor being arranged remote from the stock rails. Secured to one of the stock rails 4 by bolts 7), or otherwise maintained in operative rela- The throw rod 12 is anism shown is substantially similar to that described in the Anderson application, it being understood thatany suitable mechanism may be employed for the purpose.

The receptacle a is preferably connected to the casing 13 by means of a suitable conduit, or its equivalent arranged to incase the several conductors r from the mechanism within the receptacle to the pole changer or motor as the case may be. Themechanism shown and mentioned within the receptacle comprises a drum 31 rotatably supported within the receptacle and provided with a gear 33 secured thereto. The gear 33 meshes with a suitable rack 28 arranged on the end of the. rod 16 which is connected to the switch points. As is obvious, as the switch points are thrown by the throw. v

' operatively connected therewith but subrod 12 in one direction or the other the drum is rotated. On the drum are arranged a plurality of contact members 51, 48, 45 and 42, and within the receptacle are also arranged a plurality of what may be termed brushes or contact members arranged to cooperate with the contact members 51, 48, 45 and 42. A plurality of the brushes 52,

50, 49 and47 are rigidly supported within the receptacle and thereby substantially connected with the fixed rail parts 3, 4. The

brushes 46, 44, 43 and 41 are arranged on an adjustable support 35 which is provided with a suitable part or sector 38 arranged to coiiperate with the rack 29 on the rod 17, which rod is connected with the other fixed or stock rail 1, 2. The contact members or brushes mentioned are suitably connected by electrical conductors r to the pole changer 53 or motor 14 or other parts of the system, but the several conductors are not shown as actually connected tothe several parts mentioned, it being understood that they are suitably connected, as for example, as shown in Andersons device. The receptacle a is preferably provided with an extension h, in which the rack 28 may move, and with a similar extension in which the rack-29 may move. Any equivalent guides may be provided. The. stock rails, although normally fixed or immovable, will, when displaced from their normal positions, cause a change in th'e controlling mechanism so that in this sense the stock rails cooperate with the, other mechanisms in controlling the operation of the switch.

By this construction it is seen that the motor and other 'mechanism may be arranged where desired, the only connection between the same, and the switch being the.

throw rod 12 connecting the motor and the switch points. In this way the mechanism controlled directly by the switch points and stock rails is separated from the actuating mechanism or motor but electrically connected therewith. It is of course obvious that while the motor is shown outside of the stock rails, it might be, arranged between the rails in the case of a derail giving: substantially the same result- Having thus described my invention it is obvious that various immaterial IIIOdlfiCit. tions may be made in the construction, arrangement' and combination of parts herein shown and described, or that the oonstruce tion may be used wherever found applicable,

hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact construction,

arrangement or combination of parts herein shown and described or mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the kind described and in combination, fixed and movable rail parts, actuating mechanism for said movable parts stantially remote from said'fixed rail part, and controlling mechanism for said actuating mechanism, said controlling mechanism secured to one stock rail and operatively connected with said movable rail part.

2. In a device of the kind described and in combination, normally fixed stock rails and a movable rail part, actuating mecha" 3. In a device of the kind described and in combination, normally fixed stock rails and a movable rail part, actuating mechanism for said movable part operatively con-' nected therewith but substantially remote from said stock rails, and controlling means for said actuating mechanism, said means operatively connected with said movable rail part and the stock rails.

4. In a device of the kind described-and in combination, normally fixed stock rails and fixed stock rails, a receptacle secured to one stock rail and controlling mechanism arranged within sald receptacle for said actuating means, said controlling mechanismoperatively connected with said stock rails.

5. In a device'of the kind described, and; in combination, normally fixed. stock rails and a movable rail part, actuating mechanism for said movable part, operatively connected therewith and substantially remote from said stock rails, a receptacle secured to said fixed rail part and controlling mechanism arranged Within said receptacle for said actuating mechanism, said controlling mechanism operatively connected with and actuated by said normally fixed stock rails and the movable rail parts.

6. In a device of the kind described and in combination, a plurality of stock rails and a cooperating movable rail part, actuating mechanism for said movable rail part, a casing for said actuating mechanism, a receptacle and means for retaining the same in operative relation to one of said stock rails, a drum rotatably supported within said re ceptacle and operatively connected with said movable rail part, said drum provided with a plurality of contact members thereon, a plurality of brushes arranged within said receptacle and cooperating with said contact members, said brushes connected with said stock rails.

7. In a device of the kind described and in combination, a plurality of stock rails and a cooperating movable rail part, actuating mechanism for said movable rail part, a casing for said actuating mechanism, controlling mechanism for said actuating mechanism, a receptacle for said controlling mechanism and means for retaining the same in operative relation to one of said stock rails, said controlling mechanism comprising a drum rotatably supported within said receptacle and operatively connected with said movable rail part, said drum provided with a plurality of contact members thereon, a plurality of brushes arranged within said receptacle and cooperating with said contact members, a portion of said brushes connected with one of said stock rails and a portion connected with the other stock rail whereby displacement of either of the stock rails will cause a variation in the relative positions of the corresponding brushes and drum.

8. In a device of the kind described and in combination, a plurality of stock rails and movable cooperating rail parts therefor, actuating mechanism for said movable rail parts, a casing therefor, means for operatively connecting said actuating mechanism and said movable rail part, a controlling mechanism containing receptacle and means for retaining the same in operative relation to one of said stock rails, and controlling mechanism for said actuating mechanism arranged in said receptacle comprising a drum rotatably supported within said receptacle, means for connecting said drum and movable rail part, said drum provided with a plurality of contact members thereon, a plurality of brushes arranged within said receptacle cooperating with said contact members, a portion of said brushes connected with one of said stock rails and a portion with the other of said stock rails.

9. In a device of the kind described and in combination, a plurality of stock rails and a plurality of movable rails cooperating therewith, actuating mechanism for said movable rails operatively connected therewith but substantially remote from the fixed rail part, controlling mechanism for said actuating mechanism comprising a receptacle rigidly secured to one stock rail, a movable member arranged in said receptacle and operatively connected to said movable rail part, said member provided with a plurality of contacts thereon, a plurality of contact members cooperating therewith arranged within said receptacle, a portion of said members rigidly supported by the receptacle and thereby connected with one fixed rail part and a portion adjustably supported within said receptacle and connected with the other fixed rail part.

10. In a device of the kind described and in combination, fixed and movable rail parts, actuating means for said movable rail part operatively connected thereto and mechanism separate therefrom but electrically connected therewith for controlling said actuating means, said mechanism connected with said movable and fixed rail parts.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILSON A. AUSTIN. Witnesses A. A. MCCLURE, M. ENGLER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the. Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

